Mass. health care cost bill could emerge next week

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts lawmakers are working to reconcile the differences between House and Senate versions of a health care cost bill before the session ends on July 31.  

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said Wednesday that he expects the conference committee to submit a compromise version of the bill early next week.  

Tarr, a Gloucester Republican who serves on committee, said he is disappointed that the bill's release will likely come down to the wire, as lawmakers in each chamber will not have sufficient time to review the legislation.  

The cost containment bill aims to lower health care costs in Massachusetts that came after a landmark law signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney in 2006. The law expanded access to health coverage in the state.